January 30, (THEWILL) –Â The Beijing 2022 Winter Games Organising Committee announced on Sunday that 34 new COVID-19 infections had been discovered among Olympic athletes and crew, including Poland’s short track medal hopeful Natalia Maliszewska.
Thirteen of them who tested positive after arriving at the airport on Saturday were athletes or team officials.
Of the overall infections, 23 were among new airport arrivals, while 11 were among those already inside the “closed loop” bubble, which separates event staff from the general public to prevent virus spread.
The loop permits Games attendees to travel freely on official transportation between their hotels and Olympic venues, but not within the city. Every day, all stakeholders in the Games, including the media and personnel, are put to the test.
As the eighth Polish athlete to test positive, Maliszewska has been placed in isolation, according to the Polish Olympic Committee on Sunday. Polish speed skaters Natalia Czerwonka, Magdalena Czyszczon and Marek Kania have also been isolated.
Maliszewska is in a battle against time to run in the 500m heats, which begin on Saturday. Athletes who test positive but show no symptoms will only be released from isolation if they pass two consecutive negative tests within 24 hours.
On Sunday, Australia stated that one of their team members had tested positive for COVID-19, but did not specify whether it was an athlete or coaching staff member.
Beijing Games organisers have warned that there would be more cases in the following days as the Chinese metropolis imposes tough controls banning any Games participant’s movement and contact with the local community.
China, unlike many other countries attempting to live with COVID-19, has isolated itself by enacting a zero-tolerance approach that has resulted in the cancellation of practically all international flights. Charter planes are required for Olympic athletes and others to arrive in the city.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
